Umbrella gizmo

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting an umbrella in front of the operator on a riding lawn mower. The fixed base of the device attaches to the lawnmower structure in front of the seat mesial the operator&#39;s legs. An offset frame pivotally attached at it&#39;s lower end to the fixed base is configured to clear the operator&#39;s hands as he or she moves the mower&#39;s steering levers. The frame can be easily rotated forward, lowering the umbrella, for traversing under low tree branches and for mounting and dismounting the mower. The umbrella is rotationally mounted in the upper end of the vertical frame allowing it to turn when it comes in contact with stationary objects, such as a walls, fences, hedges etc. while the mower is traveling parallel to them.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of 60/407,544, filed Aug. 29, 2002.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to umbrella supports for riding lawnmowers..

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Over the years a number of umbrella support devices have been developed for holding umbrellas behind the operators of lawnmowers, tractors, wheelchairs and the like. Gainey (1990) in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,117 discloses a system which mounts on the frame of a tractor behind the operators seat. It lacks any provision for adjustment vertically or horizontally or for quick lowering for traversing under low hanging tree branches. Kennedy (1998) in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,583 discloses a system which is magnetically attached to a surface. It lacks the features needed to quickly and easily position an umbrella for rider mower use. Davis (1998) in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,327 discloses a system which clamps on the side or rear of the frame of a chair, and Diaz shows in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,594 a device that is adjustable vertically from behind the operator. The devices if these two inventions would be difficult to adjust while steering a moving riding mower.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0006] Several of the many objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide an improved umbrella support device for a riding lawnmower, which

[0007] (1) provides for placement of the umbrella in front of the operator.

[0008] (2) provides for unobstructed movement of the operator's hands while moving the mower's steering levers.

[0009] (3) provides for the umbrella to rotate when it comes in contact with a stationary object while the mower is moving parallel to the stationary object.

[0010] (4) provides for lowering the umbrella by pivoting the device forward and for raising the umbrella by pulling it to a vertical position.

[0011] (5) provides for quick and easy removal of the umbrella from the device.

[0012] (6) provides for hooking a raised mower deck for those mowers which pivot to a vertical position for maintenance.

[0013] (7) provides for a strong and durable device that can be economically manufactured.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0014] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows in a side elevation view the device and an umbrella mounted on the body of a riding lawnmower just forward of the operator's seat.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the device of the previous FIG. in a lowered position.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of the device in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 4 shows in a front elevation view the device mounted on the body of the riding lawnmower.

[0019]FIG. 5 shows the umbrella shaft spindle in a lowered position.

[0020]FIG. 6 shows the support post assembly and deck latch hook..

[0021]FIG. 7 shows a more detailed view of the device in FIG. 2 with the umbrella removed. REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 10 riding lawnmower 20 the device and umbrella 30 support post assembly 40 offset frame 50 spindle

SUMMARY

[0022] In accordance with the present invention the device comprises a support post, an offset frame and a spindle in which an umbrella is mounted.

DISCLOSURE

[0023] A typical embodiment 20 of the gizmo of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing it mounted on a lever steering type mid mounted deck 11 riding lawn mower 10 which is residing on surface 17. In FIG. 1 the umbrella 22 is open and in an overhead position for protecting the operator sitting in seat 15 from the sun and rain. In FIG. 2 the umbrella 22 is open and in a lowered position. It is desirable to have the umbrella in the lowered position when the operator is mounting and dismounting the mower, and when traversing under low overhanging tree branches.

[0024] In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 support post's 30 base 32 is shown mounted on a horizontal surface 14 of the mower. The support post could be reconfigured so it could also be mounted on surfaces 12 or 13 if desired.

[0025]FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 show offset frame 40 shaped so that the operator can move the mower steering levers 16A and 16B forward and aft without interference from the offset frame. This allows for the umbrella to be located overhead and just in front of the operator while not interfering with the operation of the steering levers. The offset frame is pivotally attached by axle 49 to the vertical section 34 of the support post at thru hole 39 shown in FIG. 6. Spring plungers 48 located in the sides 42A and 42B of the offset frame engage detents 36, shown in FIG. 6, in the horizontal section of the support post when the umbrella is positioned overhead. A plurality of detents allows for the fine adjustment of the umbrella position. A stop 47 can be provided to limit the lowered position of the umbrella. Hook 38 is provided on some front mounted mower decks for holding the mower deck in a vertical position for maintenance.

[0026]FIG. 4 shows spacer 44 joining sides 42A and 42B providing rigidity to the frame. Hub 46 joins the sides at the top. The lower end of the umbrella shaft 24 is attached to the umbrella height adjusting and rotating spindle 50 and rotationally resides in hub 46. FIG. 3 shows the height adjusting and rotating spindle in an upper position and in FIG. 5 in a lower position. Keeper 52 locks the height adjusting and rotating spindle in a desired vertical position. Pin 54 keeps the wind from blowing the umbrella out of hub 46.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows offset frame 40 in the lowered position with the umbrella removed.

SUMMARY, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0028] Accordingly, the reader will see that the umbrella support device of this invention can be easily installed, that it can be economically produced and marketed. Since it is supported in front of the operator rather than behind, such as those similar to Diaz, U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,594, it allows him or her to control the position of the umbrella easily without having to turn around. Furthermore, it can be quickly removed when desired.

[0029] Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the offset frame could be molded as a single unit, the pivoting assembly could be of a friction design , etc.

[0030] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

We claim:
 1. An umbrella support device for mounting in front of the operator's seat of a lever steering type riding lawnmower, comprising: an offset frame, the lower end of the offset frame mounted on the mower's structure mesial said operator's legs and below said operator's seat, said offset frame configured to clear said operator's hands when moving the steering levers, the upper end of said offset frame configured to receive the lower end of an umbrella's shaft.
 2. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 1, wherein said lower end of said offset frame is pivotally mounted to said mower's structure allowing said operator to pivot the umbrella forward and aft.
 3. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 2, further including pivoting means and locking means to secure said offset frame in a desired position.
 4. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 3, wherein the locking means may include ball and spring plungers, detents, friction assemblies, and the like.
 5. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper end of said offset frame is configured to rotationally receive the lower end of the umbrella's shaft.
 6. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 5, further including spindle means mounted on the lower end of said umbrella's shaft, the spindle means provides for rotation in said upper end of said offset frame and for vertical adjustment when said offset frame is in a vertical position.
 7. An umbrella support device as defined in claim 1, further including an umbrella.
 8. An umbrella support device for mounting in front of the operator's seat of a lever steering type riding lawnmower, comprising: an offset frame, the lower end of the offset frame pivotally mounted on the mower's structure mesial the operator's legs and below said operator's seat, allowing said operator to lower a mounted umbrella by pushing it forward and to raise it to a vertical position by pulling it aft, said offset frame configured to clear said operator's hands when moving the steering levers, the upper end of said offset frame configured to rotationally receive the lower end of an umbrella's shaft, the lower end of the umbrella shaft mounted in spindle means providing for rotation and for vertical adjustment in said upper end of said offset frame, and an umbrella. 